Business

Nations Trust Bank extends partnership with WNPS for 5th consecutive year

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/26

From left to right: Ayura Perera : Personal Assistant, Legal & Secretarial (NTB), Jehan CanagaRetna -General Secretary (WNPS), Spencer Manuelpillai-Vice President (WNPS) , Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne – president (WNPS), Priyantha Talwatte – Director / Chief Executive Officer (NTB), Theja Silva Group Company Secretary/ Head of CSR (NTB), Hemantha Gunetilleke- Deputy Chief Executive Officer (NTB), Sanjaya Senarath- Chief Marketing Officer (NTB), Chintake Yapa – Assistant Vice President – Sustainability (NTB), Harini Udugampola -Senior Manager – Legal Security Documentation (NTB)

Continuing its commitment to environmental stewardship, Nations Trust Bank recently renewed its partnership with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS). The Bank signed an agreement to become the sole sponsor of WNPS’s publications – ‘LORIS’, ‘Warana/Varanam’ biannual magazines and ‘The Jungle Telegraph’ quarterly newsletter in addition to funding the organization’s Monthly Lecture series.

Commenting on Nations Trust Bank’s efforts to strengthen their relationship with WNPS was Priyantha Talwatte, Director/Chief Executive Officer at Nations Trust Bank. “It is truly an honor and privilege for Nations Trust Bank to be able to continue to support WNPS, one of the oldest societies of its kind in the entire world. Nations Trust Bank is committed to deliver sustainable long-term impact and our choice of partnership with WNPS is an investment of ensuring the Sri Lanka’s fauna, flora and biodiversity is protected for the future generations. Through this partnership, the two renowned publications Loris, Warana/Waranam, and the Nations WNPS monthly lecture series will be able to expand its reach and educate our citizens to become more sensitive and better appreciate Sri Lanka’s unique biodiversity. The goal for both organizations is to collectively build an ecological consciousness and create a better world for generations to come.”

Published by the WNPS for the past 85 years, LORIS, Sri Lanka’s oldest wildlife and conservation journal includes the latest scientific research and environmental understanding to create awareness on species at risk and current conservation efforts to save the country’s biodiversity. The journal also features anecdotal narratives accompanied by photographs of the flora and fauna.

Warana, the magazine first published in Sinhala in 1976, which later added a Tamil counterpart called Varanam, is the country’s first bilingual magazine on nature. The magazine features research conducted by local university students including insightful articles and information on environmental issues and conflicts.

The Nations WNPS monthly lecture series brings together a lineup of environmental experts to share information on topics ranging from plastic pollution and unsustainable fishing practices to the latest endemic bird to the leopards of Wilpattu National Park. The 60-minute lecture and Q&A session aims to educate and encourage the public to take action in various conservation fronts.

Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne, President of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society said, “WNPS would like to express our gratitude towards Nations Trust Bank for constantly advocating for our organization, allowing us to continue shaping the wildlife and nature protection agenda of Sri Lanka. Through collaborations such as this longstanding partnership with Nations Trust Bank, we’re able to conduct scientific research and keep the public informed about the importance of wildlife and nature conservation in this country and protect it from further destruction.”

For years, Nations Trust Bank has implemented multiple environmental initiatives to foster biodiversity research and education, reforestation and species conservation and climate change action. The most recent being the ‘Mihikathata Avurudu’ program, where the Bank will plant a sapling across a one-acre land in the Hiyare Rainforest on behalf of every customer who opened a new Current Account, Savings Account or an Investment Plan with the Bank during the week of Avurudu.

Nations Trust Bank PLC is among the top 15 business establishments in Sri Lanka as ranked by Business Today. Stemming from its vision of “helping people and businesses by providing financial services and information to achieve their goals and aspirations in a sustainable way”, the Bank serves a diverse range of customers across both individual and corporate, with an enviable portfolio of banking and financial products and services. Strongly focused on digital empowerment through cutting-edge digital banking technologies, the Bank is a pioneer in many innovative customer centric banking solutions such as extended banking hours, and FriMi – Sri Lanka’s first digital banking experience. Delivering premium value, service and connecting its Card Members to rewarding experiences and opportunities Nations Trust Bank PLC is an issuer and sole acquirer of American Express Cards in Sri Lanka. The Bank operates 96 branches across the country and has an ATM network covering 127 locations and 48 Cash Deposit & Withdrawal Machines, plus more than 3,700 ATMs on the Lanka Pay Network.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

14 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.